Up to 15,000 sponsored parent (temporary) visas will be granted each year, starting April 2019.

The much-debated new temporary Sponsored Parent visa will be made available from April 17th this year.

The legislation tied to this new visa which allows sponsors to bring their parents to Australia for longer periods was passed in November last year.

“Sponsors will be able to lodge an application to sponsor their parent from 17 April 2019,” Immigration Minister David Coleman announced.

The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) subclass 870 visa provides parents and grandparents with a new pathway to reunite and spend time together through having the opportunity to visit Australia for a continuous period of up to five years.

There is also the opportunity to apply for a second visa for another five years after a short period outside Australia, meaning parents and grandparents will be able to spend up to 10 years in Australia.

Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs David Coleman said the new visa the new visa will deliver great social benefits to families across Australia.

“Up to 15,000 Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visas may be granted each year, ensuring reunions are possible for many families. This will make a big difference to many Australian families.”

Measures have been put in place to strengthen the visa framework, and require Australian sponsors to act as a financial guarantor for any outstanding public health costs incurred by the visa holder whilst in Australia, including hospital and aged care fees. This ensures taxpayers are not required to cover additional costs.

The new temporary Sponsored Parent visa being introduced by the government has disappointed certain members of the Indian community, who have said the new visa is ‘too expensive’.

The new parent visa will cost migrants $5000 for a three-year visa, $10,000 for a five-year visa and $20,000 for a ten-year visa.

Along with visa fees, children will have to bear the financial burden of healthcare for migrant parents, with sponsors legally required to act as a financial guarantor for any outstanding public health costs incurred by the visa holder.

Arvind Duggal, an Adelaide resident, who kick-started the ‘Long Stay Visa for Parents’ campaign that saw national participation before the federal elections, told SBS Hindi they will continue to fight for a fairer visa.